Living Larger and Larger

One of the most potent ideas in human growth and development comes from the Enneagram, a personality assessment tool that is steeped in mystery. Scholars suggest its roots likely stem from Christian Mysticism, Islamic Sufism, and Jewish Kabbalah, though it came into the world notably from the Armenian philosopher and spiritualist, Georges Gurdjieff.

The power of the Enneagram’s focus is simple enough:

We are who we are, some curious mix of nature and nurture.

How we came to be this version of ourselves is irrelevant.

Though an exploration of our story can be very fruitful.

The point is to become our fullest expression and realize our potential.

To do so, we must find inner integration and outer functionality.

Neither of which is possible without shadow work.

What lies in the shadows of our being is not easily seen or understood.
Yet it can be brought forth and dissolved in the light of awareness.

Some would say this is the whole point of life and living.

Still, breakdown seems to always precede breakthrough.

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What if the growing divisiveness in our current world is a necessary breakdown that precedes a human and cultural breakthrough?

What if, in order to find a new way, the old ways must be shattered forever, so they can be cast aside?

What if the dissolution of the formerly firm boundaries of race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, and politics is essential for transcendence?

What if any progression always brings us to a next point of initiation?

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Many are the prophetic voices that have foretold a new heaven and a new earth, and a transformation of the human species, as part of the evolution of creation. Since it is not possible for any one of us to reimagine a future as long as our perspective is embedded in the present reality, all our understandings of ourselves, our world and our reality must be leveled up. Ken Wilber, the American philosopher, reflected this as “transcend and include.” Not to negate what has come before, but to use it as a stepping off place for something new to emerge. We must bring curiosity in order to consider something new, and we’ll have to explore the possibilities.

The increase in diversity of people, voices and perspectives is creating an increasing number of psycho-spiritual free agents. They are less bound by the conventions of old. They see themselves and the world through fresh psychological and spiritual understanding.

Yet our attachments to old ideas and old ways are very great. Indeed, they are the foundation of how we think of ourselves individually and collectively. Any threat to those certitudes rattles us to the core. No surprise there is much resistance, or that the result is increasing clamor and conflict.

Change will have its way with us.

Cooperation is not required, though it does lessen the suffering.

Seeing True in Reality and In Practice™

“The spiritual journey is individual, highly personal. It can’t be organized or regulated. It isn’t true that everyone should follow one path. Listen to your own truth.” ~ Ram Dass

“To thine own self be true.” ~ William Shakespeare

In the end, we must abandon the path that has brought us here.

It cannot take us where we next need to go.